Car Leasing vs. Buying: Hidden Fees, Dealer Agendas, and When to Buy Your Leased Car

When your lease ends, should you lease again, buy the car, or return it and walk away? What is a car lease, and how do its true costs compare to financing? Sean Pyles, CFP®, Elizabeth Ayoola, and lead writer Shannon Bradley break down how car leases work — including money factors, residual values, mileage limits, and the acquisition fees dealers rarely tell you about. They also explore why leasing-then-buying a car typically costs more than financing from the start, when it makes sense to lease an EV, what to watch out for in dealer offers, and how tariffs may be affecting your end-of-lease options right now. For more information on the topics discussed in this episode: Should I Lease or Buy a Car? Should I Buy My Leased Car? 5 Times to Say Yes How to Lease a Car: Everything You Need to Know Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Car Leasing vs. Buying: Hidden Fees, Dealer Agendas, and When to Buy Your Leased Car is an episode from NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast by NerdWallet Personal Finance.

This episode is 34:14 long.

This episode was published on Mar 30, 2026.

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